Braylon Alexander embraces an unidentified student near a memorial for 17-year-old Joshua Broussard outside of Spring High School on Friday. The campus will reopen on Monday with increased security.

Braylon Alexander embraces an unidentified student near a memorial for 17-year-old Joshua Broussard outside of Spring High School on Friday. The campus will reopen on Monday with increased security.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

Prosecutor: Spring student may have acted in self-defense

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A 17-year-old charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of a Spring High School student earlier this week could have been defending himself, prosecutors said Friday.

"I'm not saying that's not true," Assistant Harris County District Attorney Kelli Johnson said when asked if Luis Alonzo Alfaro was defending himself from being bullied or gang violence. "Our job is to find out the truth. But based on what we know, there was probable cause to take charges."

Alfaro is accused of stabbing 17-year-old Joshua Broussard on Wednesday morning near the cafeteria on the campus at 19428 North Freeway.

Classes were canceled after the incident. When the campus reopens on Monday, students will pass through metal detectors to enter the building, district and school leaders said Friday. Students also can expect "heavy police security," Principal Donna Ullrich told parents in a phone message Friday.

In court Friday, Johnson outlined the allegations against Alfaro during his initial appearance in front of state District Judge Denise Bradley.

More Information

Classes resume Monday at Spring High School.

Only two entrances will be available – the main front door and the band hall door.

Portable metal detectors will be used at those entrances.

Students should be prepared to remove jewelry and belts if necessary.

Only clear backpacks and small purses no bigger than a loaf of bread will be allowed.

Informational phone line

Parents with questions and concerns can call 281-891-7000 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Memorial service

A memorial service for Joshua Broussard is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Spring Baptist Church, with the funeral set for 11 a.m. Monday at the same church.

School info

1 Classes resume Monday at Spring High School.

1 Only two entrances will be available - the main front door and the band hall door.

1 Portable metal detectors will be used at those entrances.

1 Students should be prepared to remove jewelry and belts if necessary.

1 Only clear backpacks and small purses no bigger than a loaf of bread will be allowed.

Hot line

Parents with questions and concerns can call 281-891-7000 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Memorial service

A memorial service for Joshua Broussard is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Spring Baptist Church, with the funeral set for 11 a.m. Monday at the same church.

Johnson said a pushing match came to blows before Alfaro pulled a folding knife from his pocket, put his left arm over his eyes and began swinging the blade.

"He states, in his statement, that other students began punching him," Johnson said after the arraignment. "He then pulls out a knife and begins stabbing the people around him."

'Heavy security'

Johnson said investigators continue trying to figure out what was behind Wednesday's violence.

Alfaro's attorney, Milan Marinkovich, declined to comment as he escorted several of the teen's relatives, some in tears, from the courtroom.

Neither Alfaro nor his attorney spoke during the hearing.

Prosecutors said the teen slashed four people, including Broussard, who collapsed in the hallway and died.

Another student remains in critical condition, Johnson said.

Harris County sheriff's deputies have said gang rivalry appears to be the motive in the case, but Johnson said investigators are trying to confirm that gang members were involved.

After hearing the allegations, Bradley said Alfaro would remain under house arrest and wear an ankle monitor if he posts $150,000 bail.

At a news conference at the high school on Friday, organized by the district's Ministerial Alliance, district police chief Victor Mitchell said the district formed a gang task force to address concerns about gangs in and around the school.

Mitchell also said three officers are assigned at Spring High School, up one from last year. Dogs, he said, will be used for searches as needed.

In phone messages sent to parents on Friday, Ullrich emphasized the increase in police presence.

"We want to remind you that there will be heavy security at the campus on Monday and metal detectors will be used as part of our enhanced safety plan," the message said.

In an earlier message, she noted the increased presence will be inside and outside of the campus "for as long as needed, and other local law enforcement agencies will also be present on campus and in the community."

The message also said that the school will be calling parents throughout the next three days to relay information as it becomes available.

News conference arrest

At the news conference, Spring ISD Superintendent Ralph Draper said the district will be conducting town hall meetings but did not give any specific details about dates or locations.

Members of the alliance urged parents to make sure their children leave home Monday morning prepared to not harm or violate anyone's safety, including their own.

"We may have differences, but we are all brothers and sisters," said Bishop James Dixon II, alliance spokesman said at the news conference.

About 80 people attended the news conference, but a group of parents who wanted to attend said they were kept outside and told to wait for a separate meeting.

Sheriff's deputies arrested Steven Johnson, 46, when he tried to enter the building to attend the news conference.

According to a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, Johnson was charged with trespassing after refusing to leave the school property despite being asked repeatedly by deputies to do so.